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Barclays Premier League
Venue: St James' Park Date: Saturday, 11 December Kick-off: 1730 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on ESPN and highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live, talkSPORT and BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM, 1485 AM and DAB; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
Newcastle fans have staged angry protests against owner Mike Ashley ahead of Saturday evening's Premier League game against Liverpool.
Supporters are still fuming at the decision to sack manager Chris Hughton and replace him with Alan Pardew.
They gathered at St James' Park and made their opposition towards Ashley and the club's hierarchy clear.
Although police and stewards were in close attendance, the demonstrations were largely peaceful.
Earlier, Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan said the disappointment of losing Hughton as manager would not distract them from their aim of Premier League survival.
In his programme notes ahead of Saturday's game, Nolan wrote: "We can't deny it's been a tough week.
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Pardew sets sights on Premier League survival
"But we know we have to put it behind us and, as players, we have accepted what has happened and we will move on."
Hughton guided the Magpies to the Championship title last season and he saw his side thump Aston Villa 6-0 and local rivals Sunderland 5-1 before recording a 1-0 win at Arsenal as Newcastle reached the top half of the Premier League table.
A run of two draws and three defeats followed, yet there was as much surprise in the Newcastle dressing room as there was outside of it after Ashley gave Hughton his marching orders on Monday with the Magpies 12th in the top flight.
Earlier in the week Nolan admitted the news of Hughton's sacking had come as a huge blow.
"I speak for all of the players when I say we were disappointed to see Chris leave the club," he said.
"It's no secret that everyone was saddened to see him go.
"I'm sure Chris will go on to be a success wherever he goes next, and we wish him all the very best for the future and thank him for everything he achieved here.
"Hopefully we can carry on the good work he put in during his time here.
"We simply have to stick together and rely on the great spirit that exists at this club."
The affection shown towards Hughton has prompted new incumbent Pardew to admit that his first task will be to win round the players and fans.
"It's fairly obvious the players and fans had great respect for Hughton and the fact he's gone has caused something of a stir," he stated.
"People are upset and I can understand that. The problem I will have initially is making sure I get my message across quickly and with clarity [to the players]. I need to make sure there's no resentment towards me, coming in at this juncture with the team doing reasonably well."
And Pardew added that while there may be an opportunity to move up a congested Premier League table he was not looking beyond the visit of Liverpool.
"It's so close this year - with spirit and unity in the team you could surprise yourself and finish fairly high," he suggested
"But my most immediate concern is the next game. You can get lost in thinking about building the club and developing the youth team and get distracted - I've done that in the past.
"My immediate focus is the game on Saturday night and I've got to prepare the team."
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Venue: St James' Park Date: Saturday, 11 December Kick-off: 1730 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on ESPN and highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live, talkSPORT and BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM, 1485 AM and DAB; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
Newcastle fans have staged angry protests against owner Mike Ashley ahead of Saturday evening's Premier League game against Liverpool.
Supporters are still fuming at the decision to sack manager Chris Hughton and replace him with Alan Pardew.
They gathered at St James' Park and made their opposition towards Ashley and the club's hierarchy clear.
Although police and stewards were in close attendance, the demonstrations were largely peaceful.
Earlier, Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan said the disappointment of losing Hughton as manager would not distract them from their aim of Premier League survival.
In his programme notes ahead of Saturday's game, Nolan wrote: "We can't deny it's been a tough week.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Pardew sets sights on Premier League survival
"But we know we have to put it behind us and, as players, we have accepted what has happened and we will move on."
Hughton guided the Magpies to the Championship title last season and he saw his side thump Aston Villa 6-0 and local rivals Sunderland 5-1 before recording a 1-0 win at Arsenal as Newcastle reached the top half of the Premier League table.
A run of two draws and three defeats followed, yet there was as much surprise in the Newcastle dressing room as there was outside of it after Ashley gave Hughton his marching orders on Monday with the Magpies 12th in the top flight.
Earlier in the week Nolan admitted the news of Hughton's sacking had come as a huge blow.
"I speak for all of the players when I say we were disappointed to see Chris leave the club," he said.
"It's no secret that everyone was saddened to see him go.
"I'm sure Chris will go on to be a success wherever he goes next, and we wish him all the very best for the future and thank him for everything he achieved here.
"Hopefully we can carry on the good work he put in during his time here.
"We simply have to stick together and rely on the great spirit that exists at this club."
The affection shown towards Hughton has prompted new incumbent Pardew to admit that his first task will be to win round the players and fans.
"It's fairly obvious the players and fans had great respect for Hughton and the fact he's gone has caused something of a stir," he stated.
"People are upset and I can understand that. The problem I will have initially is making sure I get my message across quickly and with clarity [to the players]. I need to make sure there's no resentment towards me, coming in at this juncture with the team doing reasonably well."
And Pardew added that while there may be an opportunity to move up a congested Premier League table he was not looking beyond the visit of Liverpool.
"It's so close this year - with spirit and unity in the team you could surprise yourself and finish fairly high," he suggested
"But my most immediate concern is the next game. You can get lost in thinking about building the club and developing the youth team and get distracted - I've done that in the past.
"My immediate focus is the game on Saturday night and I've got to prepare the team."
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